In 1898 at Bonanza Creek, a short distance from Dawson City, George Carmack, Skookum Jim and Tagish Charley made one of the richest gold strikes in history.
News of this discovery set off the Great Klondike Gold Rush.
In ten short years over 300,000 people made their way to the Far North to seek their fortunes in the Yukon Gold Fields. My great grand father Peter Curtis was among them.
One piece of history quickly glossed over is the testimony written on a board outside St Andrews church in downtown Dawson.
It states that:
" Robert MacDonald, a preacher at this church, left his gold claim in order to pursue the greater riches of men's souls during the Yukon Gold Rush"
Jesus said " If you have money, employ it to win people to heaven, so that when you die you will have friends to welcome you to your eternal home."
MacDonald not only will have friends in Heaven, he made plenty on earth also. When he wanted money to build his church the miners paid $15,000:00 in gold dust to put up the building mortgage free.
Any preachers out there? Stick to your calling and leave the rest to God.
Jubilate.
Ian
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